Borussia Dortmund made it three out of three in 2015. The Black and Yellows followed up their victories against Sion and Bucharest with another a 1-0 friendly win over FC Utrecht on Wednesday night. The winning goal was created by a classic piece of interplay between Reus and Kampl.

The friendly between the Eredivisie’s 11th-placed team and the Bundesliga’s 17th-placed was watched by a crowd of 16,000, including 600 travelling fans from Dortmund, in freezing conditions at Galgenwaard stadium. And they got the most for their money.

The Scenario:

Borussia Dortmund went into the game having won their first two friendlies of the year against FC Sion and Steaua Bucharest during their training camp in La Manga.

Personnel Matters:

BVB were without Kagawa, Langerak and Aubameyang (Asia/Africa Cup of Nations) as well the injured Bender, Kehl, Grosskreutz and Mkhitaryan who’s expected to return to full training soon.

Tactics:

Borussia set up with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Sahin and Gündogan partnering in the two holding midfield positions, while Blaszczykowski, Reus and Kampl occupying the attacking midfield roles. Utrecht played with a 4-3-3.

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The Game & Analysis:

In a fast and entertaining match, both sides started the game in a positive mood playing the ball quickly through midfield. Jürgen Klopp’s men were eager to put into practice what they had learned in the last couple of weeks with a lot of pressing and harrying the opposition players. For example in the 31st minute, when Piszczek did well to win the ball on the left before playing it on to Sahin who forced Utrecht keeper Ruiter into a flying save with a shot from 18 yards.

Sahin and Gündogan worked well in midfield, winning the ball and moving it forward on more than one occasion. The same can be said about Kampl and Reus who linked up very well, with new signing Kampl chasing every ball and Reus being all over the place. In the 17th minute, the Germany international drove forward before releasing the ball at the right moment to Kampl to slip it through the legs of the onrushing Ruiter to put the Black and Yellows in front.

Borussia produced a fine attacking display in the first half, and at the back they had to overcome one or two uneasy moments as Utrecht also put in a very committed performance. Weidenfeller, however, only had to make one save clearing a dangerous cross by the Dutch outfit.

Understandably, following the tough training sessions of late, the second half was a much quieter affair but Reus, who now played on the left, and his teammates continued to enjoy the game. Second-half substitute Dudziak put in a lively performance, while Ramos had an excellent chance less than a minute after coming on when his effort went just wide, while his second shot cannoned off the corner of the crossbar after good work from Sahin (53 mins.).

BVB made a total of 10 changes, with Hummels the only player to play the full 90 minutes. The last chance of the game again fell to Ramos who met a Kefkirs cross to force a second fine save from Ruiter (83 mins.).

The Scenario:

Before the Bundesliga resumes with a trip to Leverkusen on 31 January, BVB travel to Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday for their third and last mid-season friendly. The game will kick off at 1530 CET and will be shown live on WDR television as well as (in a livestream) on BVB total!

Line-up & Goal:
Weidenfeller (46. Alomerovic) – Piszczek (76. Burnic), Sokratis (46. Subotic), Hummels, Schmelzer (46. Dudziak) – Sahin (73. Kirch), Gündogan (61. Ginter) – Blaszczykowski (64. Passlack), Reus (68. Kefkir), Kampl (46. Jojic) – Immobile (46. Ramos)

0-1 Kampl (17., Reus)